Tireless Kilsyth effort to help refugees is extended

A Kilsyth-led relief effort which has seen supplies sent to Serbian refugee camps is being extended to help migrants in Greece.

And a new collection date has been announced which will see Kilsyth Helping Refugees pair up with another charity.

Its existing work has seen a partnership forged with Glasgow The Caring City whose staff drive to a Serbian refugee camp with your donations.

Now it’s been confirmed that hard working volunteers are now helping Scottish Action For Refugees.

A collection, planned for Monday, September 19 will allow donations to be handed in for both charities at the usual venue of the Church of God in Parkburn Street.

A spokesperson said: “We’ve firstly been asked by Glasgow, the Caring City for help as they have shipments going out soon and are keen to send as many winter clothes and shoes as possible to help them face the prospect of the oncoming winter.

“The charity’s work was recently seen on Reporting Scotland where it was possible to see bags from previous collections being delivered by the Serbian Red Cross.

“With a number of border closures, Serbia is becoming a bottleneck for refugees with the number of men, women and children

In addition to these items required, KHR’s new partner wants blankets and sleeping bags for a very specific purpose and location.

The spokesperson added: “We are looking for blankets and sleeping bags for a refugee camp in Northern Greece which are home to around 27,000 people, mainly living in tents.

“We are however, unable to take duvets.”

A host of local schools and churches have been heavily involved in the collections to date.

The Lighthouse charity shop in Kilsyth’s Main Street will also accept donations earmarked for this purpose.